Lead Naval Architect - Sustainability

Senior Naval Architect required to join Foreship UK, a leader in ship design and architecture, to support its continued growth strategy. Reporting to the UK MD, you will play a leading role delivering client engagements across decarbonisation, alternative fuels, structural optimisation, and new-build & retrofit design. The emphasis though will be on sustainability, optimising environmental performance and driving energy efficiency strategies for the Cruise, Ferry, Cargo and Yacht domains.

Building on Foreship’s recognised expertise in performance optimisation, conversion engineering and regulatory compliance, you will support clients in navigating the transition towards cleaner, more efficient and future aligned marine operations.

Based out of our Southampton (HQ), Leatherhead or Chippenham offices, Foreship UK operates a hybrid working model, though you will be required to travel or shipboard across the UK and internationally occasionally.

Responsibilities:

 

You will provide senior‑level technical insight across feasibility studies, modelling and assessment, retrofit concepts, newbuild support and regulatory advisory activities, including emerging requirements linked to GHG reduction, energy efficiency indices, alternative fuels, and environmental compliance frameworks. Your work will draw on a combination of naval architecture, marine engineering knowledge, sustainability expertise, and practical understanding of class and flag expectations.

• Lead sustainability and decarbonisation assessments including EEXI/CII, GHG reduction pathways, and environmental performance evaluations. 
• Develop feasibility studies, modelling and technical analyses for energy‑efficiency improvements, retrofits, power/propulsion optimisation and alternative‑fuel concepts.  
• Provide expert guidance on regulatory frameworks (IMO, EU, Class, Flag), ensuring client compliance and supporting documentation for submissions and approvals.  

Produce high‑quality technical reports, sustainability assessments, lifecycle analyses and decarbonisation roadmaps tailored to vessel operational profiles. 

Advise clients on fuel‑transition strategies, alternative technologies, emissions‑reduction options, and cost‑benefit implications for future‑ready fleet planning.  

Contribute to business development through preparation of technical content for proposals, sustainability‑related offerings, and market‑facing thought leadership.  

Support industry engagement and collaboration with universities, technology partners and innovation programmes in the sustainability/decarbonisation domain. 

Required Qualifications & Experience 

 

• Degree in Naval Architecture or related discipline; Chartered Engineer (CEng) 
• 7+ years’ Naval Architecture experience across concept/basic design, conversions or owner’s engineer roles  
• Strong working knowledge of class and statutory frameworks  
• Solid understanding and knowledge of current and future regulatory requirements related to GHG emissions, such as EEXI, CII, SEEMP III and ESG Compliance.   
• Excellent computer skills (AutoCAD, Office 365 Platform, Energy simulations).   
• Demonstrable consultancy and client facing skills; experience of coordinating multi-disciplinary inputs.  
• Mentoring/coaching experience and participation in industry bodies/technical forums.  
• You must be a British citizen or have the right to work in the UK without employer sponsorship. 

Foreship

Foreship is a 100 strong international ship design and marine engineering consultancy, specialising in naval architecture, energy transition, sustainability, stability, performance optimisation and project engineering. The company leads newbuild and conversion projects, supporting a wide portfolio in the ferry, cruise, cargo, offshore and alternative fuels sectors.

Since opening in 2022, Foreship UK has rapidly expanded, completing over 200 projects and contributing to major innovation initiatives across the UK Maritime sector.

Acquired by RINA in 2025, Foreship continues to operate under its own brand, maintaining its expertise while complementing RINA’s Marine business unit. #FORESHIP #LI-JB3

RINA Consulting

RINA is a 7,000 strong global engineering services and consulting firm, with a heritage in ship Classification, Certification and Survey. The company has since diversified, providing innovative engineering consulting services to the Marine, Defence, Energy, Oil & Gas, Power, Renewables, Transport & Infrastructure sectors. Operating out of 70 countries, RINA offers significant depth of experience across engineering disciplines to support clients, assuring complex structures are designed effectively, functionally safe and regulatory compliant.

 

Benefits

• As part of our growing global team, you’ll find yourself working with world-class professionals and clients. In addition, you will be rewarded with:
• Competitive salary  

• Matched 6% pension 
• Life Assurance 
• Healthcare Insurance
• 25 days leave (plus bank holidays) 
• Option to buy more holiday 
• Smart/hybrid Working policy 
• Professional development, support with qualifications (i.e. Chartership) 
• Pay for professional membership 
• Support of Military Reservists – 10 additional paid days 
• Cycle to work scheme 
• E-Vehicle scheme
• Employee perks – retail discounts 
• Generous recruitment referral bonus 
• 4 half days paid leave for STEM Ambassadors 
• Season ticket loan 

At RINA, we endeavor to create a work environment where every single person is valued and encouraged to develop new ideas. We provide equal employment opportunities and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected and safe from discrimination or harassment of any kind. We are also compliant to the Italian Law n. 68/99.